The Lions have had double-digit win totals the last three seasons, have won back-to-back Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex championships and don't have any intentions of breaking that success this spring.

"Every year is different," North Hunterdon coach Stacy Ditze said. "But being that we have the majority of our team returning, the expectations are the same: to improve our record in the division, be a contender in counties and improve in states."

The Lions are paced by Marquette University recruit Allison Lane, a standout three-sport athlete, and University of Louisville recruit Julia Wood, both of whom will try to take up the leadership duties left behind after the graduation of 2013 Express-Times Player of the Year Caroline Jaeger.

"Caroline gave Julia and Allison the tools to lead this year," Ditze said. "They have a great example to go by. I don't think they've replaced her, but they've made it their own."

Senior goalie Madison Martino returns to the cage for North Hunterdon with senior Amanda Moss and juniors Kelsey Shelofsky and Alyssa Bennett in defense.

"Our biggest strength is our experience, it has to be experience," Ditze said. "All of these kids have been playing with each other for up to three years at the varsity level. It's nice to be able to fine tune things instead of having to start from scratch -- with that said, we still have a lot of things to work on."

As North Hunterdon battles in the Skyland Conference Delaware Division, Delaware Valley, another team familiar with winning, will try to climb back atop the Raritan Division.

The Terriers will have to compensate for the graduation of a lot of production, particularly from Kristen Vath, who is now at Adelphi, but can lean on Vath's sister, Caroline, to shoulder a lot of that workload.

Caroline Vath, a junior who scored her 100th career goal during Del Val's first game of the season, is joined by senior Joanna Keller in the midfield. Alyssa Orrico, Taryn Cook-Grisewood, Marissa Skripko and Brianna Skripko will be looked to for defense.

"We are lucky to have this group of girls, each one works hard day in and day out, from the seniors down to the freshmen," Del Val coach Stephanie Cirino said. "We have some exceptional lacrosse players, who will take control and push this team to keep on with the traditions we have started."

It will take a team effort in Phillipsburg, where the Stateliners are trying to replace 187 goals from last year's squad, with Molly Zgoda's graduation and super-athlete Jess Kovatch concentrating on basketball.

"We're not going to be focusing on one or two people," Phillipsburg coach Bob Stem Jr. said. "I think we're going to be a little more well-rounded in our scoring."

Juniors Hannah Ryan and Abby Flagler, and sophomore Olivia DiRienz will also contribute for the Vikings.

"My expectations are to keep improving every day and to make an impact in our conference," Thibeault said.

Warren Hills has its highest participation in program history with 38 girls, but only one senior: midfielder Shannon Zignoli.

Juniors Amanda Crampton, Allie Brouhard and Bailey Reyes guide the defense that features Emma Frost in the cage. Carrie Callahan, Lexi Rettino and Hana Cicerelle are counted on to get the Blue Steaks on the scoreboard.

Warren Hills coach Laurie Kerr is hopeful her team will makes strides to improve its execution in order to get in the win column, after failing to do so in 2013.

Outside of the Skyland, Brian Gravatt has taken over the North Warren program and is optimistic that his group can improve upon a two-win campaign.

Seniors Rebecca Cuntala, Laura Gessler, Christine Hughes, Faith Torppey and Lexi Young are counted on to produce for the Patriots.